Like the idea of creating worlds and characters, and bringing these to life? Want to tell fantastic stories and to visualise the imaginary, the impossible, the future? By completing a 3D Design and Animation degree, you will get all of the essential knowledge, skills and experiences you need to take on a career in 3D design or animation for film, TV, games, advertising, information/education and beyond.

Acquire broad and flexible hands-on skills in modelling, rigging, animation, texturing, lighting and compositing. At the same time you will explore design and animation theory and context to enrich your creativity and storytelling, while working through briefs and creative processes used by industry.

In your final year you can apply for an internship with a professional 3D design and animation studio, and get the chance to work on live project work for a real-world client. You will also have the chance to compliment your specialisation by taking elective subjects in Motion Design, Interaction Design or Communication Design. You can pick and mix elective subjects to further tailor your degree to your goals.

Careers in 3D Design and Animation

3D animator

3D concept artist

3D generalist

3D specialist (e.g. modelling / rigging / texturing / lighting )

3D visualisation artist

3D tracker/matchmover

Art director

Animation director

Character designer

Compositor

Concept artist

Creative director

Digital designer

Digital matte artist

Environment designer

Game artist

Previsualisation (previz) artist

Visual effects (VFX) artist

QUICK COURSE GUIDE

Qualification Title

BACHELOR OF DIGITAL MEDIA (3D DESIGN AND ANIMATION)

Study Options – Domestic Australian students

Full-time Blended*

Part-time Blended*

*Blended (face to face on campus plus facilitated online)

Study options – Overseas students

Full-time Blended*

*Blended (face to face on campus plus facilitated online)

Start Dates

See Key Dates below

Course Length

Full-time: 3 years (accelerated 2 years)

Part-time: 4-6 years (depending on study load)

Entry Requirements

Year 12 equivalent with ATAR 60.

For international applications IELTS 6.0 (Academic) with no skills band less than 5.5

Special Entry Requirements:

Demonstrated ability to undertake study at this level:

Work experience, and/or other formal, informal or non-formal study attempted and/or completed, OR

Want to know more?

COURSE SUBJECTS - bachelor of digital media (3d design and animation)

Core Subjects Students take all 8 core subjects.

This subject introduces students to the fundamental concepts within visual language and the relevant software tools for the digital production of graphic and visual communication. It explores methods for the digital production of visual messages and requires students to practically apply and theoretically understand the fundamental grammar that underpins any graphic language. Students will develop skills in expressing the grammar of visual language, working with design software and creating digital visual outcomes through a combination of theoretical studies, practical workshops, guided demonstrations and exercises. The language of design will be analysed through an examination of historical influences and technological developments. Students will create outcomes that are informed by the language of visual grammar and contextualised within contemporary digital design technology.

This subject encourages students to observe, analyse and document the world around them in order to expand their visual design vocabulary. The playful exploration of a variety of fundamental research methods will expand students’ practical and critical skill sets, enabling them to transform their observations into potential design outcomes and evaluate their engagement with the design process. Students will undertake a series of observational research experiments; recording and analysing each case through a range of media and materials including: drawing, photography, sound, static and time-based media as well as two and three dimensional forms. Students will also be challenged to critically reflect upon their interaction with and response to the cultural context of design.

This subject provides an introduction to the fundamental theory and practice of interaction design. Key concepts including experience, interface and interaction are explored, along with fundamental technologies, services and platforms pertinent to the design and production of interactive digital media. Students will also investigate the social, cultural and technological frameworks that inform interaction design and identify the relationships between each.

This subject provides an introduction to the fundamental theory and practice of moving image and 3D design and production. Students will be familiarised with a basic set of tools and techniques for creating moving image sequences and 3D visualisations. Fundamental moving image, screen language and spatial design concepts are introduced, and students will use these concepts in conjunction with basic production techniques to communicate and convey narrative. The subject also introduces concept development techniques and materials specific to the development of motion and 3D design outcomes.

This subject develops foundational skills in drawing, visual perception and exploration. Students engage with the practice and theory of various drawing modes, including life and environmental drawing, in order to enrich the concept development process. In addition to developing general visualisation skills students will also work in concept development forms specific to specialist areas of digital media practice.

This subject continues the exploration of the theory and practice of interaction design for digital media. The subject covers core research and concept development methods for interaction design. Students will focus on interpreting and structuring information content for interactive non-linear presentation and delivery, and will also focus on visual aspects of interface design and the ways in which visual design affects end-user experience.

This subject introduces the foundational theory and practice of motion graphic design and live action camera production. The unit introduces basic skills in concept development, asset creation, 2D animation and compositing suitable for motion graphic production. The process of developing a live action video piece is also introduced, from pre-production through to post-production, and including fundamental sound design principles. Students will gain basic skills in camera-based production including basics of lighting, sound recording and editing.

This subject develops foundational skills in 3D design and animation. Students will undertake character and set design and development exercises, and will generate animated 3D graphic elements. In this way students will develop foundational skills in the principles and techniques of modelling, texturing, lighting and animation required to produce digital 3D characters, environments and props. The subject also explores key concept development stages typical to common 3D design briefs and projects.

This subject explores current interdisciplinary topics in digital media design. The subject introduces notions of disciplinarity in relation to digital media design, and develops students’ awareness of interdisciplinary aspects of their own digital media design practice. In this subject students will develop practical and conceptual skills and knowledge of current relevance across all digital media design specialisations. Students will also be required to reflect on their own developing body of knowledge as a means of guiding their own ongoing learning and development. This subject may explore a range of interdisciplinary topics such as sound design, authorship, ownership, copyright and intellectual property in digital content creation.

This subject focuses on the design and modelling of characters suitable for 3D visualisation and animation. The subject explores organic and inorganic modelling principles and techniques for character body and face creation. Students learn how to create surface and subcutaneous anatomy, and how to create 3D textures by manipulating original source imagery. Throughout the subject, students learn how to apply concepts and principles of character creation to visualise personality, emotion and affect in 3D virtual characters.

This subject introduces the core theory and practice of 3D character animation. Students learn the creative and technical skills needed to rig props and characters for keyframe and performance capture animation. Fundamental character animation theory concepts and principles including character design, narrative, weight and timing are explored in order to inform animation design and development. The subject also introduces particle and rigid body dynamics as means of creating and augmenting animated sequences and content.

This subject continues the exploration of current interdisciplinary topics in digital media design. The subject requires students to collaborate in small teams to produce an interdisciplinary project. As part of this project, students will explore concepts of brand creation, brand identity and brand experience. Students also explore modes of storytelling and narrative creation, and the connections between story and brand creation. Through a group work project approach, the subject introduces typical organisational structures of interdisciplinary design teams and workplaces, and the influence of these structures on professional practice. Students continue their development of practical and conceptual skills and knowledge of current relevance across all digital media design specialisations, and are again required to reflect on their own developing body of knowledge as a means of positioning their practice and guiding their own ongoing learning and development.

This subject focuses on the development of modelling and 3D design skills suitable for the creation of photorealistic and animated visualisations. Students will learn 3D design principles and techniques specific to the creation of photorealistic 3D imagery, including texture creation, lighting and photo-real rendering toolsets. In addition to learning about photorealist approaches, students will also have the opportunity to design and develop bespoke stylistic visual approaches as alternatives to photorealism. The subject also explores the creation of animated 3D simulations in order to visualise processes and systems.

This subject further develops creative and technical knowledge and skills in character animation. The subject covers the creation and application of custom character rigs along with facial, muscle and deformation systems to enable complex character animation. Traditional acting and directing concepts and principles are explored as a means of informing the character animation process and enriching animated performances. The subject also explores the use of nonlinear and procedural animation techniques as part of an animation production pipeline.

Electives Students choose 2 electives for for Level 200. Popular electives are listed below but others may be available. Ask a Course and Careers Advisor.

This subject explores the theory and practice of live action camera-based moving image production. The subject introduces an expanded set of production planning concepts and techniques for video production. Creative and technical aspects of working with cameras, lighting and sound are explored in greater detail. The investigation of film, TV and media theory and history is continued with an emphasis on enrichment of the idea generation and concept development process. Students will also explore the use of video editing and post-production techniques to communicate mood, narrative and information.

This subject develops and extends skills in live action camera-based video production, with a focus on storytelling and cinematography. Concept development and preproduction techniques such as scriptwriting and storyboarding are emphasised as crucial components of moving image story development. At the same time students develop skills in pitch preparation and presentation for video projects. Cinematography principles and techniques including moving camera shots are explored, along with lighting and sound design, in order to enrich students’ moving image storytelling vocabulary.

This subject explores the theory and practice of motion graphic design. Idea generation and concept development techniques for motion graphic sequences are explored and practical and conceptual skills in asset creation, kinetic typography, 2D animation and compositing are developed. The history of motion graphic traditions such as broadcast and film title design are investigated as a means of enriching the design process.

This subject introduces the theory and practice of compositing and visual effects (VFX). A history of visual and special effects in film and TV production is covered as a means of exploring both the technical developments in this field and the new storytelling possibilities accompanying these developments. Students develop practical skills in fundamental compositing techniques such as chromakeying, rotoscoping, tracking, stabilisation and matchmoving. Students are also introduced to the challenges of balancing the creative and technical aspects of visual effects work by undertaking a project in response to a brief.

This subject introduces the practical and conceptual skills and knowledge required to design and produce online user interfaces. Students learn how to use compliant standards-based markup and scripting language to develop interfaces. The subject covers concept development, prototyping, development, testing and troubleshooting concepts and techniques typical to interface development. Students also learn how to produce animated elements suitable for online interactive media.

This subject covers the use and customisation of content and technology systems for the delivery of online content. Students learn how to generate flexible design solutions to present and manage complex and variable content. The subject introduces online content management systems and specialist development tools, and students will learn how to use and customize these systems and tools to meet specific design and project requirements. Students will also learn about hosting platforms, performance measurement and metrics systems for online content.

The subject explores models for structuring and managing interdisciplinary design projects, teams and workplaces, building on models used within specific digital media specialisations. Students will conceive and manage an interdisciplinary project that synthesises concepts and methods from their major area of study with concepts and methods from other digital media specialisations. At the same time students will contribute as a team member working on design and production tasks within a project managed by another student. As part of this process, project and production management methodologies from different disciplines are explored and compared. Students continue their development of practical and conceptual skills and knowledge of current relevance across all digital media design specialisations, and are again required to reflect on their own developing body of knowledge as a means of positioning their practice and guiding their own ongoing learning and development.

This subject covers the design and creation of 3D environments suitable for integration with live action and photographic imagery, and the fundamental knowledge and skills required in order to create successful composites of 3D and live action elements. Students will learn the essential compositing techniques required by 3D artists and animators, including tracking techniques for integrating 3D elements into moving camera shots. Students also learn how to prepare, render and deliver 3D design and animation assets in formats suitable for a range of compositing and visual effects uses and applications.

This subject covers the principles, methods and structures required for collaborative team-based 3D animation production. Students will develop nonlinear, team-based pipelines to coordinate the production of projects with multiple characters, sets, props and assets. Pipeline planning and scripting will be introduced as a way to optimize workflow. The subject also covers animation production and production design concepts and techniques in order to equip students with strategies for the consistent direction of visual style, staging, acting and performance across a collaborative team-based production.

This subject addresses new and emerging technologies, methods and practice within the 3D design and animation field. Students investigate specific current examples of emerging practice within the field, assess their potential applications and appraise their creative and commercial potential. Students gain practical experience in the adoption of new concepts, processes and techniques through the completion of a research project. The subject also requires students to critically reflect on, document and communicate a research process and findings to a 3D design and animation community of practice.

In this subject students will research and develop self-promotion materials in preparation for employment. Students will be expected in this unit to review, revise and edit their existing body of design work. They will be expected to frame and deliver this work with an emphasis on self-reflection and identification of a personal brand and value proposition in relation to a chosen design industry sector.

This subject offers students the opportunity to work within a professional 3D design and animation studio for an extended period of time. Students will be offered internship placements that allow them to spend time working in a professional environment. Students benefit from a professional mentorship that enables them to build long-term relationships with industry and increase their employment potential. Students are exposed to the rigour of professional 3D design and animation practice while building their confidence in adapting to new environments. It also provides a context in which to enhance their communication skills and work collaboratively in a professional arena. Students will undertake a series of research tasks, conducting interviews and gathering data as a means of critically reflecting on their internship experience in relation to the skills and knowledge gained during their studies.

This subject offers students the opportunity to undertake a major project for an external client, working as part of a project team that aligns to a professional 3D design and animation studio structure and environment. Under the mentorship of the subject lecturer, students will increase their employment potential by gaining experience in producing professional work for a real client with a live project. Students are exposed to the rigour of professional 3D design and animation practice while building their confidence in adapting to the demands of a live brief. The project also provides a context in which to enhance their communication skills and work collaboratively in a professional arena. Students will also be required to document and critically reflect on their project experience in relation to skills and knowledge gained during their studies, in relation to their own personal contribution and in relation to teamwork dynamics.

Electives Students choose 2 electives for Level 300. Popular electives are listed below but others may be available. Ask a Course and Careers Advisor.

This subject develops practical and conceptual skills in compositing and visual effects. The subject focuses on managing and working within a small visual effects production team. Students are required to design and manage the production of their own original effects sequence, and also to contribute as a team member to a project led by another student. The subject also expands on compositing methodologies suitable for the integration of live action and computer-generated 3D imagery.

This subject develops further practical and conceptual skills in motion graphics, reinforcing and extending skills in idea generation, asset creation, kinetic typography, animation, compositing and sound integration for motion graphic design. The subject also focuses on the design and development of 3D assets and animation for motion graphics, and the integration of motion graphics elements with live action footage, as a means of expanding students’ motion design vocabulary.

This subject covers the use of scripting to develop more complex interface techniques and features, including page logic, programmatic animation and dynamic content delivery. Students will explore these and other techniques for data capture, manipulation and display through the development of prototypes, and also learn how to develop interface solutions suitable for a range of devices and delivery modes. The subject also introduces the theory and practice of data visualisation, exploring design theory, data capture and programmatic animation methods relevant to real-time data representation.

This subject develops conceptual and practical knowledge and skills in experience design for interactive and online media. Students will use common experience design research methods to analyse audience and content requirements. Students will work through concept development, prototyping, validation and testing phases to improve and refine a user experience design in relation to the requirements of a specific client brief. Throughout students will develop their knowledge and skillset in terms of creating usable and user-centred interactive design experiences.

STUDY PATHWAYS

Billy Blue design courses are designed to give you flexibility. So if you wish to switch courses, exit early OR study faster, we can help you out through our study pathway options. In the design world, change is our friend. Contact your Course and Career Adviser for more info.

If you have previously studied or worked in the design industry, you may be eligible to receive course credit that can potentially shorten the length of your Billy Blue design course. Read more about recognition of prior learning.

Billy Blue College of Design has recognised pathways to help you gain entry into the Bachelor of Digital Media (3D Design and Animation) based on the criteria you are able to meet. Explore your pathway options.

We offer several entrance pathway options for students who have not completed a High School Certificate or equivalent. Entry can be achieved by undertaking the Diploma in Digital Media Design (pathway criteria applies), and on successful completion of the Diploma you can then credit this study towards completion of a degree. Mature aged students (aged 21 or over) are also welcome to apply directly to Billy Blue based on work experience and an existing portfolio. Read more about recognition of prior learning. For more information on any of these pathways please ask a Course and Careers Advisor.

We use the latest industry-standard software in all our courses. This changes all the time as industry standards and software programs evolve. Contact us for more information.

Yes, you must bring your own laptop to class. This is part of our commitment to preparing students for the mobile work practice of the 21st Century. There are also some workstations and design software on campus.

Yes if you are an eligible Australian student you can defer your future fees. International students need to pay each trimester in full before it starts. Learn more about fees here.

GRADUATE SPOTLIGHT

“My main interest in digital media is 3D design – it’s actually a bit of an obsession. I think I have watched all the Pixar movies at least once; no matter what I am working on, I have a movie running on another screen and whenever my attention wavers I glance across and am always presented with an amazing visual that inspires me to continue working. The art of motion opens an infinite number of options to explore.”